"I' te vurria vasà" (Neapolitan for "I wanted to kiss you") is a 1900 song composed by Vincenzo Russo, Eduardo Di Capua, and Alfredo Mazzucchi. A classic of the Canzone Napoletana, the song premiered at the Teatro Mercadante, performed by Amina Vargas.[1][2]
The lyrics, a portrait of an unfulfilled love in which the lover is merely contemplating his beloved, are based on the autobiographical experiences of Vincenzo Russo, a poor son of a cobbler, whose requited love for Enrichetta Marchese was opposed by her upper-class parents.[3] Lyrics have been paired to courtly love literature,[1] and the song has been described as being characterized by "a pastel-coloured chromaticism, which alternates between mild melancholy and restrained happiness".[2]
The song was recorded by dozens of artists, notably Luciano Pavarotti, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Enrico Caruso, Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras, Mina, Peppino di Capri, Claudio Villa, Massimo Ranieri, Connie Francis, Roberto Murolo, Tito Schipa, Nilla Pizzi, Richard Tucker, Giacomo Rondinella, Renzo Arbore, Dik Dik, Sergio Bruni, Beniamino Gigli, Sergio Franchi, Teddy Reno, Teresa De Sio, Fred Bongusto, Fausto Cigliano, Miranda Martino, Nino D'Angelo, Aurelio Fierro, Lina Sastri, Joe Sentieri, Irene Fargo, Tullio Pane, Mirna Doris, Angela Luce, Mario Abbate.[1]
Charts
edit- Peppino di Capri version
| Chart (1960–1) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[4] | 3 |
References
edit- ^ a b c Salvatori, Dario (2001). "I' te vurria vasà". Dizionario delle canzoni italiane. Elle U. pp. 175–6. ISBN 8888169016.
- ^ a b Castaldo, Gino (2003). "I' te vurria vasà". Il dizionario della canzone italiana. Le canzoni. Curcio. p. 189. ISBN 978-88-97508-31-1.
- ^ Limodio, Maria Sole (12 November 2020). "La canzone classica". La canzone napoletana (in Italian). Newton Compton Editori. ISBN 978-88-227-4432-6.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 14 February 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Titolo" field, search "I' te vurria vasà".